Critical Perspectives on Mentoring: Trends and Issues

The chapters in this volume explore emerging viewpoints, issues, and trends related
to mentoring and adult learning. The authors adopt a critical perspective intended
to develop an understanding of mentoring's potential to enhance as well as hinder
learning in adulthood.

Vivian Mott examines the role of mentoring in adult learning and development
by discussing definitions and models of mentoring, its psychosocial and developmental
benefits, transformative potential, and limitations.

Andrea Ellinger reviews research on mentoring in the contexts of the workplace
and educational institutions, identifying parallel developments in the literature.

Talmadge Guy describes the growing phenomenon of telementoring, which can enable
mentoring relationships that are not otherwise possible, but which can be subject
to the same limitations as other online communication. The implications of unequal
access to technology on telementoring are also addressed.

Catherine Hansman takes up the issues of diversity and power in mentoring,
examining the impact on women and people of color of mentoring by persons with
the same or different characteristics and backgrounds.

In the concluding chapter, Hansman presents implications for practice and suggestions
for further research.

Information on mentoring and adult development may be found in the ERIC database
using the following descriptors--*Adult Development, *Cultural Pluralism, Gender
Issues, Internet, *Interprofessional Relationship, *Mentors, Race; and the identifiers
Power Relations and *Telementoring. Asterisks indicate terms that are particularly
relevant.

Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education
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